What is Public Procurement?
Public Procurement is defined as the acquisition, whether under formal contract or not, of works, supplies and services by public bodies. It ranges from the purchase of routine supplies or services to formal tendering and placing contracts for large infrastructural projects.
As outlined in our Corporate Procurement Plan 2021-2023, our Procurement Mission Statement is “To ensure Laois County Council’s procurement function operates in accordance with best practice as set out by National and EU legislation, achieves optimum value for money purchasing across all functions of the organisation, while ensuring transparency, accountability and promoting an increasingly sustainable approach to our Procurement activities.”
Laois County Council procurements are governed by the Public Sector Directive 2014/24/EU, National Legislation and Government Policy. The current National Procurement Thresholds and associated Procedures are outlined here.
When purchasing goods & supplies valued less than €50,000 or works less than €200,000 which are not included on a national or sectoral framework, Laois County Council will undertake a quotation-based competition by direct invitation. In accordance with Government policy, supplies & services contracts exceeding €50,000 or works contracts exceeding €200,000 must be advertised as a National/EU tender process on the eTenders platform.
Doing Business with Laois County Council?
Laois County Council utilises many of the national contracts put in place by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Categories include Energy, ICT, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Legal, Cleaning, Security services etc.
The OGP have prepared a short video providing an overview of Public Procurement in Ireland.
National and EU Tender opportunities are advertised on the European tendering platform eTenders which is used by all public sector bodies including Contracting Authorities. There are several interactive walkthrough videos for Suppliers on how to register and manage a tender process on the new eTenders platform.
Under the auspices of Kerry County Council, the LGOPC through the Supplygov portal is tasked with leading two categories of procurement on behalf of the public sector. With frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems for categories such as Plant Hire, Civil Engineering Materials, Bitumen and Minor Building Works to Residential/Commercial buildings.
Click here for Suppliers guidance on
how to register and respond to a RFT
on the Supplygov portal.
Laois County Council have committed to incorporating Green Public Procurement into our Tender processes, where appropriate.
Green Public Procurement (GPP) is a process where public authorities seek to source goods, services or works with a reduced environmental impact.
Implementing GPP will require a major shift in the work practices of public bodies, like Laois County Council and the Businesses we contract with.
For further information on Green Public Procurement, please click here to see an informational video prepared by the EPA.
Public Procurement Guide for SMEs and Sole Traders
The Local Government sector have published a Public Procurement Guide for SMEs and Sole Traders which aims to help Small to Medium Enterprises and Sole Traders make the most of the business opportunities within the Public Sector.
It provides an introduction to Public Procurement processes and procedures. It explains how Contracting Authorities such as Laois County Council purchase goods, services and works. It encourages businesses of all sizes to engage with the many business tendering opportunities.
Download Public Procurement Guide for SMEs & Sole Traders
Contacting Us
Contact: Aisling Ryan, Procurement Officer
Email: procurement@laoiscoco.ie
Phone: 057 8664000